Margaret Hope's Tasmanian wildflower watercolours

A collection of paintings by Tasmanian botanical artist Margaret Hope was intended for publication in the 1880s.  It's a mystery why they weren't published in her lifetime.

Margaret Hope was born in Campbell Town in 1848 and died in 1934, unmarried.  She taught painting in Hobart and is recognised as one of the state's most important botanical artists. There's a lovely short article about her life in the Australian Garden History Journal.

Her paintings are detailed, and scientifically accurate and have now been published in a beautiful book I recently bought titled, Character of the Blossom I've been sharing some images as I come across the species that Margaret painted on my fragrant wanderings.

The original artworks are preserved by the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts. One day I'll ask to take a look at the originals.